Della H. (Kotila) Erickson, age 83, of French Lake, died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, at the Lakeside Health Care Center of Dassel.

She was born Aug. 13, 1925, north of Cokato, to Oscar and Hilma Kotila.

Della married Edwin Erickson March 7, 1942. The couple lived in the Cokato and French Lake communities.

Della enjoyed gardening, sewing, homemaking, reading, and numerous projects such as furniture refinishing, redecorating, and learning the latest arts and crafts. She shared her knowledge with her children, her in-laws, grandchildren, and friends.

A great tender of her garden, her home, and her faith journey, she was an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, French Lake.

Della was preceded in death by her infant son, Gary; brothers Nels Kotila and Earl Kotila; and a sister, Linnea Engstrom.